THE Supreme Court has ordered the Marcos family and the military to comment on the motion for reconsideration filed against the ruling that allowed late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
In an en banc session on Tuesday, SC spokesperson Atty. Theodore Te announced that the Court has directed respondents in the case to comment in the motions filed by former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo together with the martial law victims and Albay representative Edcel Lagman and the families of the desaparecidos within 10 days.
The respondent who are asked to file their comment are Rear Admiral Ernesto Enriquez in his capacity as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Grave Services Unit (Philippine Army), AFP chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the heirs of Marcos, represented by his surviving spouse Imelda.
The Court also directed respondents to comment within 10 days on the petition for contempt directed against the Marcos family and the AFP for proceeding with the burial, pending the finality of the SC's decision.
Ocampo earlier asked the Court to impose sanctions against the above-mentioned military officials and the Marcos family, including former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, and Irene Marcos-Araneta for proceeding with the surprise burial last November 18.
The petitioners believe that the respondents violated the due process of law and the rules of Court when it continued the burial without the Court's final ruling.
The SC in its decision also ordered the contempt case to be consolidated with the other cases against the Marcos burial. (Sunnex)
